Kicking out breast cancer

Stepping into the WEGOTSOCCER store in Foxborough, it's hard to not notice the breast cancer pink ribbons all over the place. They're stuck to the windows, counters and walls - almost everywhere.

Lizia Oliveira

Stepping into the WEGOTSOCCER store in Foxborough, it's hard to not notice the breast cancer pink ribbons all over the place. They're stuck to the windows, counters and walls - almost everywhere.

The link between pink ribbons and soccer may seem unusual, but three years ago the store embraced the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign, and it has proven to be a good relationship.

“As a company we decided to focus 100 percent of our charitable efforts toward one cause in an effort to have the greatest single effect possible,” says owner Michael O'Connor.

He says that fundraising campaign presented itself as a great option for the store, “being not only local but simply a fantastic group of professionals and volunteers who help us do the best we can with the resources we have as a small company.”

In each of the past three years, about 350 walkers joined the company in its efforts.

“Because we have a small number of employees, we must look outside WEGOTSOCCER to fulfill our fundraising goals,” said Elizabeth Houldcroft, who works at the store.

As a Flagship Sponsor, the store spearheads efforts to raise money and to reach out to customers, vendors and the surrounding community to increase awareness of the American Cancer Society.

“Just like anywhere else, our soccer community has mothers, sisters and friends all affected by breast cancer, and we hope our efforts have provided them with information and resources that they weren't knowledgeable about before,” O'Connor said.

“Our efforts are geared towards creating new lifelong supporters of this cause,” he said.

WEGOTSOCCER evolved as a part of Gotshalk's Clothing Company in Bridgewater. At one time, it was a small part of a bigger business. It then eventually became an independent company, which is today one of the top three soccer specialty companies in the U.S.